Control device for guide motion reversal and the regulation of travelling speed of machines and especially fabric folding machines

ABSTRACT

To control a carriage of a machine such as a fabric folding machine, a handle or knob is provided to rotate a member accommodated within the same. This member has a circumferential groove in which are accommodated the levers of switches controlling the direction of rotation of a motor which drives the carriage. A gear train driven by said member controls a potentiometer which controls the speed of the motor.

llnited States Patent 1191 11 1 3,741,530 Stum f June 26 1973 p 1 CONTROL DEVICE FOR GUIDE MOTION [56] References Cited REVERSAL AND THE REGULATION OF U I E A E PATENTS TRAVELLING SPEED OF MACHINES AND 3,674,253 7/1972 Stumpf 270/31 ESPECIALLY FABRIC FOLDING 3,540,720 11/1970 Merrill 270/31 MACHINES 3,225,853 12/1965 Norton et a]. 200/157 3,179,755 1/1963 Burnham 200/157 1 Inveflwfi Gunter stumpf, Hollenweg 13, 3,300,612 8/1964 Quayle 200/157 Krles M smge 7421 Mehrstetten 3,260,826 7/1966 Johnson 200/157 Germany 3,303,403 2/1967 Bonanno 318/257 [22] Flled: 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [21] Appl. N0.: 193,309 Assistant Examiner-L. R. Oremland Related U S Applicafion Data Attorney-Eric H. Waters,John G. Schwartz et al. [63] fgintijrgilaggon of Ser. No. 889,620, Dec. 31, 1969, [57] I ABSTRACT I To control a carriage of a machine such as a fabric fold- [30] Foreign Application Prior), Data ing machine, a handle or knob is provided to rotate a N 7 1969 G P 19 56 216 4 member accommodated within the same. This member many has a circumferential groove in which are accommodated the levers of switches controlling the direction of a" i gQ ZZ rotation of a motor which drives the carriage. A gear train driven by said member controls a potentiometer [58] Field of Search 270/30, 31, 230l08//125577, which controls the Speed of the motor 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED M 2 6 I975 sum 2 0F 2 CONTROL DEVICE FOR GUIDE MOTION REVERSAL AND THE REGULATION OF TRAVELLING SPEED OF MACHINES AND ESPECIALLY FABRIC FOLDING MACHINES CROSS RELATED APPLICATION This is a Continutation application of Ser. No. 889,620 filed Dec. 31, 1969 and now abandoned.

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to control devices for guide motion reversal and regulation of the traveling speed at any particular instant between neutral and the maximum speed of a machine, and particularly to control devices for fabric folding machines to control devices driven by speed-controlled direct-current motors.

BACKGROUND When fabric webs are paid out by folding machines equipped with conventional three-phase or alternating current motors, a substantial amount of attention and quick responses are required of operators working the equipment. This is due to the fact that, on the one hand, the laying speed through the infinitely variable speed gear driven by the motor has'to be set as high as possible for economy, and, on the other hand, low traveling speeds are required for accurate placement of selvages or for starting the terminal finisher for zig-zag SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an improved speed-controlled direct-current motor-driven machine and especially an improved cloth folding machine.

Another object is to provide an improved control device which, while avoiding the aforesaid disadvantages, makes it possible to reverse the guide motion of the machine and regulate travelling speed at any required instant between neutral and maximum speed.

The controlled direct-current drive offers the further prospect of reaching intensive yet smooth slot-down automatically by countercurrent on reduction of speed, this being possible only by the use of a mechanical brake with fluid coupling when three-phase or alternating current motors are used.

According to the invention, the reversal of the guide motion and the regulation of the traveling speed is obtained by means of a single control grip which actuates an electrical setting component and electric initiating switches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a fabric folding machine;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the control device provided in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the control device, partly in section, along lines III-III INFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a fabric folding machine 1. The fixed part of this machine is a long layering table with a squeezer plate 2. On one of the long sides of the table beyond the table supports, a traveler beam 3 is fastened on which the shuttling layering carriage 4 rides by means of tread rollers 5. On the opposite long side, the carriage runs on track wheels (not shown) on the extreme rim of squeezer plate 2, the carriage being able to move between a left and a right terminal position.

The layering carriage 4 is driven by a speedcontrolled or regulated direct-current motor 6. The fabrics are drawn off by a fabric-carrier roller 7 from a batch beam 8 and are passed on to a cutting device 9, which separates the fabric in one and/or the other final station of the folding machine after conclusion of a particular layering operation.

A'service traveler 11, running on two tread rollers 10 on the traveler beam 3 is loosely coupled to layering carriage 4 by means of a coupling pin 12. A perpendicular bearer l3 hangs on tread rollers 10, with a platform 14 attached to its lower longitudinal edge. An operator can be stationed on platform 14 for cloth following. The perpendicular position of bearer 13 is secured by two backing rollers 15 on its reverse side. Rollers 15 are braced against a stay rail 16 mounted on the layering table Switch-actuating safety devices are provided on service traveler II, in the shape of a spring-restrained hinged treadle 14a, for example, overhanging from platform 14, and in the form of a starter bar 17 connecting each end of the platform. The first-mentioned device prevents unsuthorized or accidental starting of the layering carriage 4, while the second brings the layering carriage to a halt when the service carrier platfonn meets any obstacle.

The control device according to the invention is indicated in entirety at 18 in FIG. 1. In this illustrated example it is mounted at an easily accessible spot on the layering carriage of a fabric folding machine.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the essential parts of the control device. A compound reduction arbor 20 is fastened to a baseplate 19 by means of a threaded nut 21. The arbor serves as a mounting and guideway for a control grip 24 consisting of an external handle 22 and a slotted insert 23 fitted inside the same. The inside diameters of the insert are chosen so that the insert can be turned around the arbor with the outside handle. At the front end of thearbor a ball notch 26 is fastened by means of a set screw 25. The ball snaps into a recess in the front end face of insert 23 and thus locks the neutral position of control grip 24.

A spur gear 28 is fastened on insert 23, close to its entry through grommet 27, and meshes with a spur gear 29 is fitted on the shaft on an adjustable resistance, preferably a reversible potentiometer 30, so that any motion of the control grip 'is transferred to the potentiometer.

A switch 31 for counterclockwise rotation and a switch 32 (FIG. 2) for clockwise'rotation of the directcurrent motor are provided at the other side of the arbor. The actuation levers L1 and L2 of these interaligned switches engage in a chamfered peripheral groove 33 at their extremities. This groove is provided in a liner 34 mounted on the end of the insert. The are length of the peripheral groove is so selected that when control grip 24 is turned clockwise, switch 32 (clockwise) is actuated, and when the grip is turned in the opposite direction it actuates switch 31 (counterclockwise). The length of the operation path is limited by a buffer 35 for clockwise operation and by buffer 36 for counterclockwise operation, these interacting with a lug 37 provided on insert 23.

The mode of operation of the above-described device is as follows:

The control grip is locked in neutral by means of the ball notch, so that both switches are out of operation and no power is supplied to the motor. Turning the grip in the desired running direction activates the corresponding switch. This supplies power for the required direction of rotation of the motor. At the same time, a phase shift from its neutral position is communicated through the two spur gears to the potentiometer and it controls, through a known speed control unit, the change in motor speed. When the end buffers are reached, the maximum speed is determined. According to FIG. 2 there is a maximum operating path of 90 available on the control grip for the whole range of speed in one direction. Choice of a different angle and a different transmission ratio of the spur gears can give a change in the sensitivity of the speed control.

What is claimed is:

1. A fabric folding machine comprising a table, a carriage displaceably mounted on the table for laying fabric on the table, drive means including a motor for driving the carriage in reciprocation along said table to deposit layers of the fabric on the table, a manually engageable control member on the carriage, and means controlled by said control member to control the speed and direction of rotation of said motor, the latter said means including a potentiometer coupled to said motor to control the speed thereof and switches coupled to the motor to control the direction of rotation thereof, said control member including a rotatable member provided with a circumferential opening of limited length, the switches including actuation parts located in said opening and actuated at the limits of the opening.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising a spur gear coupled to the potentiometer to operate the same and a spur gear on the rotatable member and engaged with the first said gear to drive the same.

3. A machine as CLAIMED in claim 2 comprising an arbor supporting the rotatable member, an elongated handle member encircling the rotatable member for manufally rotating the latter, and a ball lock on the arbor and engaging the rotatable member for yieldably locking the same in neutral position.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising means to limit the rotation of the rotatable member in both directions of rotation thereof.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rotatable member includes a liner in which said opening is provided in the form of a groove.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rotatable member is frictionally engaged with the handle member and has an endwise engagement with the ball lock.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6 comprising a common housing for said switches, said spur gears, and said liner and the portion of said arbor and insert on which the liner is supported.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said machine component is a layering carriage of a fabric folding machine, a service traveler being connected to said layering carriage for travel therewith and serving to carry an operator, said control member being supported on said layering carriage and accessible to an operator on the service traveler.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 comprising means on said service traveler for starting and halting the carriage. 

1. A fabric folding machine comprising a table, a carriage displaceably mounted on the table for laying fabric on the table, drive means including a motor for driving the carriage in reciprocation along said table to deposit layers of the fabric on the table, a manually engageable control member on the carriage, and means controlled by said control member to control the speed and direction of rotation of said motor, the latter said means including a potentiometer coupled to said motor to control the speed thereof and switches coupled to the motor to control the direction of rotation thereof, said control member including a rotatable member provided with a circumferential opening of limited length, the switches including actuation parts located in said opening and actuated at the limits of the opening.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 comprising a spur gear coupled to the potentiometer to operate the same and a spur gear on the rotatable member and engaged with the first said gear to drive the same.
 3. A machine as CLAIMED in claim 2 comprising an arbor supporting the rotatable member, an elongated handle member encircling the rotatable member for manufally rotating the latter, and a ball lock on the arbor and engaging the rotatable member for yieldably locking the same in neutral position.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 3 comprising means to limit the rotation of the rotatable member in both directions of rotation thereof.
 5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rotatable member includes a liner in which said opening is provided in the form of a groove.
 6. A machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rotatable member is frictionally engaged with the handle member and has an endwise engagement with the ball lock.
 7. A machine as claimed in claim 6 comprising a common housing for said switches, said spur gears, and said liner and the portion of said arbor and insert on which the liner is supported.
 8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said machine component is a layering carriage of a fabric folding machine, a service traveler being connected to said layering carriage for travel therewith and serving to carry an operator, said control member being supported on said layering carriage and accessible to an operator on the service traveler.
 9. A machine as claimed in claim 8 comprising means on said service traveler for starting and halting the carriage. 